Executive Summary
Polyethylene is commonly used as a material for medical implants such as total joint replacements. Unfortunately, polyethylene wear particles can promote adverse host immune responses in patients, which may require secondary revision surgery. MSU researchers have recently discovered that metabolic reprogramming and altered bioenergetics is a key reason for the adverse immune responses and have developed a novel means of reducing them by the incorporation of metabolic inhibitors into the implanted materials.
Description of the Technology
This technology utilizes various small molecule inhibitors incorporated into the implant material to target metabolic pathways in key immune cells. The presence, and then release of these inhibitors during the breakdown of polyethylene-based implants, inhibits different steps of the glycolytic pathway and prevents undesired inflammation. A variety of types of inhibitors can be incorporated into the implant such as on the surface or dispersed in the material depending on the application. The implementation of these small molecule inhibitors into biomedical implants enables the safe application in soft- and hard- tissue regeneration, nanomedicine, and drug delivery. This technology has currently been demonstrated both in vitro and in vivo.
Benefits
- Results in less inflammation resulting from polyethylene implants
- Potential to recruit stem cells for tissue regeneration
- Applicable to both human and animal implants
- Flexible design and formulation depending on application and implant size
- Can be used for bone, cartilage, tendon, skin and other tissues
- Prevents need for secondary surgery or medical intervention
Applications
- Human orthopedics
- Veterinary (including but not limited to equine, porcine, canine, feline) orthopedics
- Sports medicine
- Dental applications
- Soft tissue regeneration
- Ophthalmologic medications
- Drug delivery
Patent Status
Published US patent application US18/833,739
Licensing Rights
Full licensing rights available
References
"Elevated oxidative phosphorylation is critical for immune cell activation by polyethylene wear particles", Journal of Immunology and Regenerative Medicine, Feb 2023
"Metabolic profile of mesenchymal stromal cells and macrophages in the presence of polyethylene particles in a 3D model", Stem Cell Research and Therapy, April 2023
"Glycolytic reprogramming underlies immune cell activation by polyethylene wear particles", Biomaterials Advances, Sept 2023
"Glycolytic reprogramming in macrophages and MSCs during inflammation", Frontiers in Immunology, Aug, 2023
Inventors
Dr. Chima Maduka, DVM, PhD, Dr. Christopher H. Contag, PhD, Dr. Stuart Goodman, MD, PhD
TECH ID
TEC2023-0072
